Stand and divider for bowling ball and accessories



H. E. EINHORN Dec. 5, 1961 STAND AND DIVIDER FOR BOWLING BALL AND ACCESSORIES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 14, 1960 INVENTOR.

HARRY 'l/Vl/ORA/ flu H. E. EINHORN Dec. 5, 1961 STAND AND DIVIDER FOR BOWLING BALL AND ACCESSORIES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 14, 1960 IIIIIII'I'I quiz 9) INVENTOR. 1448?) E. Elli H0? United States Patent 3,011,648 STAND AND DIVIDER FOR BOWLING BALL AND ACCESSORIES Harry E. Einhorn, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Wilco Metal Products, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 62,785 7 Claims. (Cl. 211-14) This invention relates to handbags and, more particularly, to a frame for bowling accessories.

Various types of handbags have been designed for carrying bowling balls and shoes in a compact and convenient manner. In many instances, however, the bowling ball has been scuffed or otherwise damaged by contact with sharp objects either in the bag construction or adjacent accessories. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a bowling ball support frame for bowling accessory handbags which will allow for maximum room within the bag, and which will effectively prevent damage to the bowling ball supported thereupon.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bowling equipment accessory bag having an interior frame which will effectively maintain the shape of the bag at all times, and which will allow for the side loading and emptying of the bowling ball and shoes in a simple and convenient manner.

Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide a bowling ball support frame for bowling accessory handbags having a ball Supporting section safely covered by a resilient layer of material so as to prevent scratching, scuffing, and other damage to the surface of the bowling ball supported thereupon.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a bowling accessory handbag frame of the type described which can be readily fabricated in large quantities at a relatively low cost, and which will enhance the outward appearance and constructional features of the bowling bag formed therearound.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowling accessory handbag having a skeletal framework made in accordance with one form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. I, removed from the bowling bag.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a slightly modified form of frame assembly.

FIG. 5 is a View similar to FIG. 4, of still another form of frame assembly made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of certain parts of a skeletal framework made in accordance with the present invention, illustrating a different form of scuff-proof pad means for supporting a bowling ball upon the frame.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a bowling accessory bag 10 is shown to be formed around a support 12 made in accordance with one form of the present invention.

The support unit 12 embodies a skeletal frame formed from wire rod, including a pair of side rails 14, and a pair of depending legs 16 connected together in predetermined spaced apart relationship by means of a longitudinally extending tie bar 18. Mounted centrally upon the side rails 14 of the frame is a rectangular mounting plate 21 3,011,648 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 having marginal side portions 22 formed into tubular sections which add to the strength and rigidity thereof, and which further on at least one pair of sides, receive the side rails 14 of the skeletal frame. The central portion of the plate 21 is provided with a circular cutout formed by a downwardly turned circular flange 24 of arcuate crosssectional configuration. This flange 24 defines a circular opening 26 having a diameter substantially less than the bowling ball 28 to be supported thereupon.

Pad means in the form of a flexible collar 30 of sub stantially U-shapcd cross-sectional configuration, is provided with a pair of reentrant portions 33, 34 which receive the lower portions of the annular flange 24 therewithin. The radially inwardly facing side 33 of the collar is provided with a plurality of annular ridges 32 which yieldably receivethe bowling ball thereupon with minimum surface contact. The outer one of the reentrant portions 34 is engaged by the tangentially disposed terminal portion 36 of the side rail receiving tubular members 22, thus serving to clamp the collar in assembled relationship with the central opening or depressed area 26 of the plate 21. The tubular sleeve portions 22 on all sides of the plate 21 clampingly engage a respective portion 'of the collar 30, in the manner described, thus securely retaining the collar in proper position upon the plate 21. -This clamping action is provided for during the fabrication of the article following the assembly of the collar 30 with the plate portion 21.

The bowling ball support plate 20 is also provided with alternate pad means for insulating the bowling'ball from contact with the metallic surface of the plate 21. Such alternate pad means includes an aperture 38 and slot 44 at each corner of the rectangular plate 21. The aperture 30 receivers a rivet or similar fastener 40 for securing one end of a flexible strap 42 to the bottom surface of the plate 21. The opposite end of the strap 42 is then wrapped around the depressed flange 42, as shown in FIG. 7, and extended through the slot 44. Thus, with straps assembled in this manner, the bowling ball 28 is insulated at four points from the support plate assembly 20, and may be used as a replacement for the colar 20 whenever desired.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 of the drawing, wherein a slightly modified form of skeletal framework 50 is shown to include a one-piece formed rod having a pair of side rails 52. inwardly directed and downwardly depending legs 54 are connected together by a laterally extending tie bar 56, and the juncture between the legs 54 and side rails 52 defines a convex surface 60 for facilitating the molding and shaping of an accessory bag bottom plate 64 having upstanding sides 62.

With reference to FIG. 5 of the drawing, a still further modified form of skeletal frame 60 is shown which, in a manner similar to that employed by the device shown in FIG. 4, facilitates the forming and assembling of a wood or similar material base panel 64. This framework 60 includes a single formed wire frame having a pair of depending legs 62 and lower side rails 66 spaced therefrom by arcuate portions 68 which guide the sides 62 of the base panel 64 therearound during fabrication. A pair of side rails 64 are supported upon and secured to the upper extremities of the depending legs 62, upon which the mounting plate is secured in the manner hereinbefore described. The terminal portions of the side rails 64 are provided with inwardly directed extensions 65 to facilitate the welding, brazing, or other type of securement.

With reference now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, it will be recognized that a support of the type illustrated in any one of the embodiments of the present invention, may be conveniently inserted within the handbag 46 during the fabrication thereof. In view of the open sides of the skeletal framework, the handbag 46 may be constructed so that both the ball and shoes 48 may be removed from and inserted into the handbag 46 in the most convenient manner. A flap 49 may be used to close the handbag after it is emptied or filled, such as by use of a slide fastener, or the like.v 7 Another feature of the present invention is that the frame can be easily removed from the handbag, so that the handbag may be used for other purposes whenever necessary. In view of the pinching action of the marginal portions of the depressed area of the mounting plate, the annular collar is secured in place upon the assembly at all times. Thus, an extremely compact, durable, and useful handbag has been provided for convenient use for all types ofbowling purposes.

, While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. For use in a handbag, a removable support comprising, in combination, a skeletal frame having a central portion and depending legs supporting said central portion above the level of said legs, a mounting plate secured upon said central portion of said frame, said mounting plate having a central depressed area for receiving a bowling' ball thereupon, and pad means carried by said plate projecting into said'depressed area and insulating said platefrom a bowling ball supported thereupon, said a flexible collar of substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a pair of reentrant portions receiving said flange of said plate therebetween, one of said reentrant portions overlying the inwardly facing surface of said convex flange, and the other one of said reentrant portions extending at least partially overthe opposite outwardly facing surface of said flange.

4. For use in a handbag, a removable support as set forth in claim 2, wherein said securement means comprises marginal portions of said plate defining sleeve members receiving portions of said frame therethrough, and the terminal edge of at least one of said sleeve members clampingly abutting said other one of said reentrant portions with said outwardly facing surface of said flange.

5. For use in a handbag, a removable support as set forth in claim 4, wherein said one reentrant portion of said collar includes a plurality of yieldable ridges for surface contact with a bowling ball.

6. For use in a handbag, a removable support as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pad means comprises a plurality of straps overlying at least part of the inside facing surface of said flange, and said fastening means securing said straps to said plate.

7. For use in a handbag, a removable support as set forth in claim 6, wherein said fastening means comprises a fastener securing one end of each strap to said plate, and said plate defining a slot adjacent to each said fastener slidably receiving the opposite end of said respective strap therethrough, and the intermediate portions, of said straps overlying the flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 138,395 Howard Aug. 1, 1944 D. 149,701 Smith May 18, 1948 2,201,257 Bell May 21, 1940 2,302,802 Roberts Nov. 24, 1942 

